Table 1. Clinical features of the study population.
| Healthy (n = 17) |
Stable COPD (n = 22) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Age, yr | 67.2 ± 3 | 65.4 ± 8 |
| Sex (M/F) | 13/4 | 16/6 |
| Tobacco consumption, pack-yr | 0 | 33.8±8* |
| FEV1, % pred | 99 ± 4 | 52.1 ± 5* |
| FVC, % pred | 97 ± 2 | 90.1 ± 8 |
| FEV1/FVC % | 98 ± 4 | 51.4 ± 4* |
| GOLD 1 (mild) patients, no. | 0 | 0 |
| GOLD 2 (moderate) patients, no. | 0 | 4 |
| GOLD 3 (severe) patients, no. | 0 | 18 |
| GOLD 4 (very severe) patients, no. | 0 | 0 |
| Receiving inhaled steroids, no. | 0 | 18 |
| Receiving theophyllines, no. | 0 | 0 |
| Receiving long-acting b2-agonist, no. | 0 | 22 |
| Receiving anticholinergics, no. | 0 | 18 |
| Total peripheral blood neutrophils | 4.4 ± 0.2 x 109/L | 7.9 ± 1.4 x 109/L* |
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC: forced vital capacity; Pack-yr = 1 year smoking 20 cigarettes-day. Data are mean ± SD.
* P < 0.05 related to Healthy subjects. COPD classification was assessed according with GOLD 2013 guidelines.